The Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) on Thursday 25 June 2026 held its 77th Lecture Series at Hall F of the ML Agwai Block Abuja, with stakeholders advocating stronger governance, enhanced protection of critical infrastructure and improved energy security to safeguard Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and strengthen national security.
The Guest Lecturer, Mr Daniel Kunle, a noted expert in the oil and gas industry with extensive professional experience, delivered a lecture titled “The Dynamics of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry and Its Implications for National Security.” Drawing on his wealth of experience, he examined the evolution of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry from the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities at Oloibiri in 1956 and its impact on the nation’s economic development and national security.
He observed that before the discovery of oil, Nigeria’s economy was predominantly driven by agriculture, with the Western Region known for cocoa production, the Northern Region for groundnuts and the Eastern Region for palm produce. He noted that although the oil and gas sector has generated substantial revenue for the country, it has also exposed institutional weaknesses, including corruption, import dependency and poor resource management.
Mr Daniel Kunle stressed the need to continuously assess key indicators within the industry, including crude oil production, global oil prices, government revenue and foreign exchange earnings. He stated that natural resources become true instruments of national power only when effectively transformed into stability, prosperity and sustainable national capacity.
The lecturer also highlighted emerging developments in the sector, particularly the role of the Dangote Refinery, and emphasised the need to treat the oil and gas industry as an integrated national asset that must be protected against sabotage and other security threats.
He identified crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, illegal refining, maritime insecurity and cybersecurity threats as major challenges confronting the sector, adding that addressing them is essential to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic stability and national security.
The lecture was followed by an interactive session moderated by Colonel AO Ibrahim, during which participants made observations, contributions and recommendations. Discussions focused on strengthening governance in the oil and gas sector, enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure, improving energy security and addressing emerging threats affecting the industry.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director General Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General JGK Myam (Rtd) OFR, described the NARC Lecture Series as a monthly intellectual platform established to examine issues affecting Nigeria’s national security and development. He stated that distinguished experts from diverse fields are invited to present informed perspectives and practical recommendations, which are subsequently forwarded to relevant stakeholders and government institutions for consideration and possible implementation.
As is customary at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, the Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of Army Staff, represented by Major General SD Makolo assisted by the Director General, Major General JGK Myam (Rtd) OFR, presented a souvenir to the Guest Lecturer in appreciation of his insightful presentation.
In his closing remarks, Major General SD Makolo commended the Guest Lecturer for the insightful presentation and lauded the Nigerian Army Resource Centre for sustaining a platform that promotes informed discourse on issues of national importance. He reaffirmed the strategic importance of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria’s economic development and national security.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Director of Research, followed by a group photograph and refreshments at the Centre’s foyer.Thereafter, the Special Guest of Honour was taken on a guided tour of selected artefacts on display at the Nigerian Army Museum.
The event was attended by the representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Major General SD Makolo, who served as the Special Guest of Honour, the Director General Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Major General JGK Myam (Rtd) OFR, representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Heads of Para Military and Intelligence Services, as well as other distinguished guests and participants.
The NARC Lecture Series is one of the flagship intellectual engagement programmes of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre. Held on the last Thursday of every month, the series provides a platform for leading experts and stakeholders to examine strategic issues affecting Nigeria’s national security and development, while generating policy recommendations for the consideration of relevant government institutions.
